Through The Garden Path

The Birthday Party

The next few days were spent juggling between preparations for the Equinox and Arcadia's birthday party. Aurelia spent her mornings with her tutors going over the scriptures that her father would read, and then her afternoon with a dressmaker from the south. After ages of not being in the public eye, Aurelia forgot how much went into preparing for events.

"Perhaps, we should try a lower neckline?" Madam Toss asked Aurelia while measuring her chest.

"I think I would prefer something modest," Aurelia replied.

"Not in the slightest!" Phillipa interrupted angrily.

Madam Toss' lips parted in shock. "Is the young girl allowed to speak to you in such a way?"

Aurelia chuckled and brushed Madam Toss off. "Pippa here is one of my most trusted staff, I allow her to speak as freely as she chooses."

Phillipa sighed with relief. The young girl often forgot to act more cordially in front of guests. "With your ball being so upcoming I think you warrant the right to reveal more skin," Phillipa explained.

"I understand where you get that idea, but as a woman with connection to the church I believe I shall remain in a high neckline until my hand in marriage has been asked," Aurelia explained and allowed Madam Toss to continue taking her measurements.

"It is for the best, M'lady. You see your second cousin Arcadia is already wearing a very modern dress to her party," the older woman explained.

"No need to call her my second cousin," Aurelia replied.

Aurelia could already picture what Arcadia would wear at her event. The further her debut into society the more raunchy of dresses the girl donned to make the men wild. Her family did not speak against such matters either, they fed Arcadia's delusions and selfish wants.

"Can you perhaps provide me with the shade that Arcadia's dress will be?" Aurelia asked, moving her hair out of the dressmaker's way. "I would just hate to show up in a shade too similar to her own gown."

Madam Toss thought Aurelia to be rather kind for being concerned about her cousin's big day. "Her dress will be a light pink."

"Then perhaps we shall make mine a shade of red?" Aurelia suggested. "A similar shade to show we are blood relatives, but not nearly the same color."

Young women often refrain from wearing red due to its intense look. Red was normally worn by older women whose mature look could outshine its bright color. Aurelia was quite aware of this, yet she believed that this would give her the upper hand. She could not compete with her cousin's girlish charm, Arcadia would always have the innocence of a doe. Which is why wearing a red dress was the perfect way to undermine Arcadia. Aurelia would be the picture of maturity and grace at her cousin's party.

"I also think silver would go quite nicely," the dressmaker offers.

"No, I only wear gold," Aurelia replied back rather sternly.

Her mind wandered back to her first carriage ride with her father. The scar on her forehead from her Aunt Margaret striking her with a silver plate could still be faintly seen. While Aurelia's memory of such things was murky, she forswore anything silver after that day. It only brought up cruel memories for the girl.

"My apologies, gold of course," Madam Toss nodded her head.

Phillipa helped the woman and then grabbed a book with a few fabrics sewn in. "As for the Equinox, I have assembled a few patterns which you might like," she said and handed Aurelia the book.

"My ladies, I apologize for my lateness," Clemence's voice echoes from the room as she enters. "I had matters to discuss with his eminence the Pope."

Aurelia smiled widely as Clemence joined her at her side. "Clemmy, pick one of these out please," Aurelia asked her sweetly.